OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Associate Director of Prospect Research
DIVISION: University Advancement
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Category 14
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement
SUPERVISES: Provides direct supervision of student employees
SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Assistant Director of Prospect Research is responsible for providing high-quality, actionable research and reports on individuals, corporations, and foundations to inform cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The Assistant Director will work closely with frontline fundraisers, senior leadership, and other Advancement team members to build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline and ensure data integrity. The incumbent prepares briefing documents for the Chancellor, Provost, Deans and other senior leaders ahead of their meetings with prospects and donors, and will provide strategic recommendations to frontline fundraisers on prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies based on research findings. The incumbent will also analyze complex data from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for prospect engagement, and will assist in managing and optimizing the prospect pipeline, ensuring a consistent flow of qualified prospects for fundraisers.
Follows the University’s best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention, and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prospect and Portfolio Management
- Proactively identify new prospective donors with the capacity and inclination to support the University’s priorities through various research methodologies (e.g., wealth screening, philanthropic databases, public records, news alerts)
- Conduct in-depth research on individuals, corporations, and foundations, compiling comprehensive profiles that include biographical information, financial capacity, philanthropic interests, giving history, and connections to the University
- Present research findings clearly and concisely, both verbally and in written briefings, to various internal stakeholders, including the Chancellor, Provost, Deans, and others
- Generate reports and dashboards on prospect pool metrics, research activities, and pipeline progress to inform decision-making
- Develop and implement proactive research strategies to support specific fundraising initiatives and campaigns
- Collaborate with the Advancement team to ensure accurate and up-to-date prospect information within the donor database
- Contribute to the development and refinement of prospect management policies and procedures
Data Systems, Research, and Reporting
- Works with software database systems, including WealthEngine, iWave, Microsoft Office Suite, Ellucian Advance, Salesforce CRM, EverTrue, iModules, Graduway, Gravyty and other advancement systems
- Works with the Data Administrator, schedules and implements regular prospect screening and information updates
- Trains staff on best practices and use of the prospect tracking system
- Serves on committees and special projects, as assigned
- Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organizational needs
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree
EXPERIENCE: Significant experience (5 years) in prospect research
OTHER: Occasional evening and weekend hours as projects dictate
Occasional travel to off-campus locations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s Degree in related field
- Significant experience (7 years) in prospect research
- Experience with, Ellucian Advance, Salesforce CRM, EverTrue, iModules, Graduway, Gravyty, WealthEngine, iWave and other advancement systems.
- Experience with prospect research tools (e.g., Lexis Nexis, iWave, wealth screening tools)
- Experience with advanced prospect management work (e.g., pipeline reviews, portfolio balancing)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Adheres to the highest ethical standards and standards of confidentiality
- Knowledge of software database systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce CRM, Lexis Nexis, WealthEngine and others
- Demonstrated experience in using modern prospect tracking systems and knowledge of current industry trends.
- Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of development/fundraising concepts and techniques
- Strong analytic background with proven data analysis skills
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with Advancement Officers, Prospect Researchers, managers, and senior staff
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proven skills in documenting processes and training staff
- Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals
- Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances
- Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision
- Appreciation of the value of higher education
- Ability to understand the process of developing proposals and gift agreements for donor giving priorities and opportunities
SALARY: $71,500-$87,850
UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:
- 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- State Pension Retirement Plan
- Optional Retirement Savings Plans
- Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
- Twelve (12) paid holidays
- Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
- And More!
Benefits for ESU Union: ESU
Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.
To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and the contact information for three professional references.
The deadline for internal applicants is November 7, 2025.
The review of internal and external applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.
The projected start date for this position is after January 1, 2026.